In Meeting With Palestinian Terror Group, Khamenei Says US Is Iran’s Main Enemy, Followed by Israel

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In a meeting between Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) and Islamic Jihad leader Ramadan Abdullah (L), the Iranian leader called the US its greatest enemy, followed by Israel. Photo: Khamenei.ir

The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran declared on Sunday evening that the US is the regime’s foremost enemy, followed by Israel, the country’s semi-official state news agency Tasnim reported on Monday.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s comments were made during a meeting with a visiting delegation of the Palestinian terrorist organization, Islamic Jihad, led by leader Ramadan Abdullah. During the meeting, held in Tehran, Khamenei reaffirmed Iran’s support for “Palestine” and offered an analysis of various conflicts in the Middle East region.

According to the report, Khamenei said the US uses the “Zionist regime of Israel as its backup” to carry out its goal of regional dominance.

“What is going on today in the region is in fact the continuation of America’s confrontation with the Islamic establishment of Iran,” Khamenei was quoted as saying. “The (ongoing) developments in the region must be studied and analyzed from this viewpoint, and within this framework, the issues of Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Hezbollah are part of this large-scale confrontation. The Arrogance front is making massive efforts to introduce this confrontation as a ‘war between Shiite and Sunni.’”

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Khamenei’s labeling of the US as Iran’s main adversary and Israel as its secondary foe is consistent with previous rhetoric from the regime. Since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Iranian leaders have continuously referred to the US as the “Great Satan” and Israel as the “Little Satan.”

The Iranian leader also pledged continued assistance to “Palestine,” which he said “is naturally enshrined in the nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

“The issue of Palestine is the main and pivotal issue, and just in the same way that the Islamic Republic of Iran considered supporting Palestine as its duty from the beginning, it will continue to fulfill this duty in the future as well,” Khamenei said, adding that “defending Palestine symbolizes defending Islam” and as such, Iran and its allies will emerge victorious “based on divine promises.”

Following Khamenei’s remarks, Abdullah said his group is growing in readiness each day in preparation for conflict with Israel, and offered his “support for Hezbollah and resistance against America and the Zionist regime.” The Islamic Jihad leader praised the resilience of Palestinians in Gaza “despite the Zionist regime’s crushing and widespread suppression.” He told Khamenei, “The flames of Intifada have been ablaze due to determination and willpower of the new generation of Palestinian youths.”

The US and Iran are currently finalizing the implementation of the nuclear agreement announced by world powers in July. Despite the deal, Khamenei has continued his numerous calls for “death to America” and “death to Israel” and vowed that his country will not curb its hegemonic ambitions.